Big increase in number of private free-standing day hospitals (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

July 13, 2001

Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)

95/2001

Big increase in number of private free-standing day hospitals

The number of private free-standing day hospitals in Australia almost trebled from 72 to 207 between 1991-92 and 1999-2000 - with an increase of 17 in the last year alone.

In contrast, the number of private acute and psychiatric hospitals decreased in the same eight-year period from 319 to 302.

Free-standing day hospitals treated 349,000 patients in 1999-2000, up 16% on the previous year's figure, while the number of patients treated at acute and psychiatric hospitals increased by 7% to almost 1.8 million.

In 1999-2000, 1.74 million surgical, obstetric and other procedures were performed on patients admitted to private hospitals, compared with 1.67 million in the previous year. Of these, the three most common principal procedures performed were on the digestive system (24%), the musculoskeletal system (11%) and gynaecological procedures (7%).

In 1999-2000, 74% of patients separated from private acute and psychiatric hospitals had hospital insurance cover, a slight increase from the previous year. However, over the five-year period from 1994-95 to 1999-2000, the proportion has decreased from 82%. The proportion of patients with hospital insurance separating from free-standing day hospital facilities has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 55% to 57% over the five-year period.

Within the private sector, revenue received by acute and psychiatric hospitals in Australia during 1999-2000 was $4,012 million of which patient revenue accounted for 91%. Free-standing day hospitals received $191 million, with patient revenue contributing 96%.

In 1999-2000, the number of acute and psychiatric hospital staff (full time equivalent) was 43,100, unchanged from the previous year. Over the same period of time, staff at free-standing day hospitals increased by 17% to 1500.

Copies of the publication Private Hospitals, Australia(cat. no. 4390.0) are available from the ABS Bookshops. If you would like to purchase a copy please contact the ABS Bookshopin your capital city.

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